Author Question: The nurse is caring for an unconscious patient who has an oral airway in place, and who has copious ... (Read 83 times)

piesebel · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is caring for an unconscious patient who has an oral airway in place, and who has copious amounts of oral secretions. What may the nurse have to do while caring for this patient? (Select all that apply.)

a. Cleanse the mouth frequently using lemon glycerin swabs.
b. Replace or clean the oral airway.
c. Suction the oral cavity frequently.
d. Keep the airway in place for extended periods.

Question 2

The nurse is providing care to a patient on mechanical ventilation with an endotracheal tube.

The nurse carefully inflates the cuff of the endotracheal tube using the minimal leak method, knowing that a properly inflated cuff provides which benefits to the patient? (Select all that apply.)
a. Prevents aspiration of gastric contents
b. Promotes accumulation of secretions below the epiglottis
c. Prevents air from escaping between the tube and the tracheal wall
d. Promotes lung inflation for mechanical ventilation

raili21 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B, C
Do not use lemon glycerin swabs for oral care because they are drying to mucosal tissues and promote bacterial growth. The oral airway will have to be removed, cleaned or discarded, and replaced in patients with excessive oral secretions. Frequent suctioning of the oral cavity may be required. Oral airways are not a long-term solution. They can cause significant lip and tongue erosion.

Answer to Question 2

A, C, D
A cuff on an endotracheal tube prevents the escape of air between the tube and the walls of the trachea and reduces aspiration when a patient is receiving mechanical ventilation. The goals of correctly inflating the cuff on an artificial airway are to promote lung inflation for mechanical ventilation, prevent aspiration of gastric contents, and at the same time allow drainage of secretions that accumulate between the epiglottis and the cuff.